Best Tablets to Replace Heavy Computers and Laptops in India

Review & Comparison, Last Update August 12, 2018

A tablet is a small computer. Lighter and more portable than a laptop yet almost as high performing. Quite a few tasks can be performed with a tablet today. And if you decided you need one, we are here to help you choose the best. So, tablet computers. Here we go!...Read more...Read less

The camera with a resolution of 8 MP rotates 180 degrees, providing the user with the opportunity to make quality selfies from any angle and talk via video chat with additional comfort.

CONS

1 GB of RAM isn't ideal for Android 6.0.

OUR VERDICT

With a cylindric battery and a built-in Kickstand, the Yoga Tablet 3 is a highly versatile device that can be used as a regular tablet or hung on a wall as a monitor. Moreover, this model makes any task much easier, thanks to a powerful quad-core CPU.

The IPS display has a natural colour reproduction and offers a great view regardless of the angle. Thanks to this feature, the image will not get darker while you watch movies and videos.

CONS

The battery capacity is somewhat limited.

OUR VERDICT

This model from Lenovo is a perfect choice for people that love to travel or for those that spend a large chunk of their day on feet. Since this tablet is compact and has a splashproof housing, it is easy to use it on the go.

A high-speed micro USB supports OTG cable that is supplied with this model. It serves as an external storage connector via USB that offers a quick access to any multimedia content that is stored on flash drives.

CONS

A wide framing around the screen lacks an aesthetic touch to it.

OUR VERDICT

This modestly priced tablet from Micromax is a complete multimedia centre. You can watch HD movies, listen to music, play modern games, and surf the Internet using Wi-Fi or 4G.

Features a pre-downloaded software that allows you to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. Additionally, the trial version of the Hungama app gives you access to thousands of movies. On top of that, gamers will be happy to play the best Gameloft games.

CONS

The display brightness leaves something more to be desired.

OUR VERDICT

This model will surely impress you if you are looking for a modern tablet with a nice looking design. Moreover, the specs of this model will satisfy you as well, especially if you are anxious to try the latest apps and games out there.

Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 8"

Not Just a Regular Android Tablet

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 will prove to be an ideal pick if you want a tablet for multitasking purposes. The model's 21 x 14.6 x 0.7 centimetres of overall dimensions make it harder to accidentally drop this thing. Though this size also means that it will hardly fit small handbags so you will need to consider buying a proper backpack or a briefcase if you would like to carry it around with you.

On the bright side, this model features an 8-inch HD IPS touchscreen with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels that makes it one of the largest tablets in the medium price range. With such a big screen, you will be able to watch absolutely any video online in the highest definition possible. As many other Android tablets, the IPS matrix of the screen makes the pictures colourful, naturally vibrant, and provides a variety of ways you can look at the screen without any distortion of the picture. Thanks to a unique kickstand on top of the device, you can hang or place this 8’ tablet almost anywhere, which opens a lot of possibilities in terms of application. What is more interesting about this model is that it has a battery with a simply enormous capacity of 6200 mAh. With this kind of capacity, you would be able to actively use the tablet for 20 hours straight. If there are no means to charge the device around you, you can leave it in a standby mode and it will still be capable of holding the charge for 95 hours before shutting off completely.

Attractive and Versatile

This Lenovo tablet has an Android 6.0 onboard that has a lot of nice features such as an attractive UI and pre-installed applications from Google. Nevertheless, in case you don’t want to have any pre-installed software on your device, you can always upgrade your mobile OS to a newer system and download everything you need on your own. Thanks to high-quality aluminium and glass that are soft to the touch, the design of the tablet itself is absolutely stunning. Moreover, the Yoga name fits this model perfectly when you look at the hinge on the back that makes the tablet highly versatile.

In terms of specifications, the tablet features 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, and a quad-core Qualcomm processor with a clock rate of 1.3 GHz. Some may say that 1 GB of RAM maybe not enough for a multitasking device, however, the powerful processor compensates for this lack of memory so even the most recent popular applications won’t freeze or stutter. On top of that, the tablet has a unique 8 MP camera that can rotate 180 degrees. This way, you can make high-resolution photos from any angle. All in all, the Yoga Tablet from Lenovo is truly one of the best devices in a medium price range.

Additional Info

Samsung Galaxy Tab A T355Y

Perfect for Work and Entertainment

If you are looking for something more than a tablet for entertainment, this Samsung tablet should definitely be able to pique your interest. The display of this model has an aspect ratio of 4:3, which makes reading books, news, and working with text files an absolute breeze. As for watching movies and videos, a variety of modern applications have an auto-scaling feature, so 16:9 video files will be played without any black borders on the screen. Thanks to a multi-tasking feature, you can easily launch multiple applications at the same time and it won't freeze or stutter while you switch from one app to another. With this feature, you can watch a movie and answer messages on social media almost simultaneously without any hassle.

This kind of performance was achieved with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 onboard CPU with 1.2 GHz clock rate of each core. The 2 GB of RAM are capable of handling any active processes of Android 5.1 OS and multiple background apps at the same time. In addition, 16 GB of storage should be enough for any basic applications. However, if you would like to stock up on movies, you can always expand the storage, since this model supports microSD cards of up to 128GB.

Stay Online, Anywhere

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is the best choice for communication since it is one of the few models that feature a 4G SIM-card slot (that still supports 2G and 3G). Thanks to this feature, you can surf the Internet at maximum speed and watch high-resolution videos and movies. Since the 4G tablet can consume a lot of precious megabytes in just a few hours, we recommend choosing a phone plan with the highest amount of data if you plan to use this feature. Additionally, you can use voice and video calls using this tablet. Although it is possible to use the device as a regular phone, it is not very convenient to hold it with one hand, since this model is rather bulky. That’s why many customers prefer to use Bluetooth headsets. Moreover, the upgraded built-in GPS excludes any chance of getting lost in an unfamiliar place and can help you make an optimal route to your destination if you are driving a car. All you need to do is activate the GPS in settings, open Google maps and set the destination point. On top of that, you can download free or paid apps that have more features than basic maps from Play Market. These features make Samsung Galaxy Tab a perfect choice for professional drivers and business travellers.

Additional Info

Lenovo Tab 3 730X

A Reliable Helper

This small tablet with a screen of 7 inches is an essential device for active people or for those who like to travel or walk around a lot. The main advantage of this model is its compact size of just 19.1 x 10 x 0.88 cm. Hence, the tablet will fit any small bag or a backpack perfectly and there still will be some free space left. Moreover, the housing of the device is made according to an innovative P2i Nano Coating Technology that protects the tablet in case if you accidentally spill some liquid on it.

The 1024 x 600 resolution of the screen seems somewhat modest, however, it is more than enough to watch movies and videos on YouTube with enough comfort. Additionally, a powerful IPS matrix that is featured in this model offers good viewing angles even if you look at the screen from the top or from the side. Thanks to this technology, the image will not distort or get pale no matter from which side you are looking at the display. Furthermore, that also means you can use the model to watch films and videos with your friends.

The device also features a 3450 mAh battery that is far bigger than what other 7 inch tablets have to offer. Though some customers may still find such capacity somewhat limited compared to the more expensive models. Nevertheless, with just one full charge, you will be able to actively use the device for 9 hours straight. If you think that it is not enough, you can pick a powerful power bank to charge your phone and other mobile gadgets if there’s no outlet nearby.

High Performance

Despite its modest price and compact size, the specifications of this tablet are surprisingly impressive. A powerful quad-core Mediatek MT6735P CPU with 1 GHz clock rate of each core allows watching movies, listening to music, and surfing the Internet at a lightning fast speed. Although you will hardly be able to play recent games, you can still find an array of other popular applications that are compatible with this model.

The 1 GB of RAM is enough to handle multiple apps running simultaneously. Additionally, the 16 GB of storage will be more than enough to store all the software you need. Some portion of the storage will be taken by a new Android 6.0 OS, however, the amount of built-in storage will be enough to store various multimedia files (a couple of movies or a dozen of music albums of your favourite artists, for example). In conclusion, the Lenovo Tab 3 is a surprisingly powerful model capable of handling various demanding apps and this alone makes the gadget one of the best budget tablets on the market.

Additional Info

Micromax P701+

Your Personal Multimedia Centre

Nowadays, many customers are looking to purchase multifunctional devices that can be used for a variety of different purposes. Multimax tablet is one of these devices since it can serve as a full-fledged multimedia centre. Right from the first glance, the numbers speak for themselves: a 7-inch screen allows watching films in the highest definition on top of that the 1024 x 600 resolution that makes any picture smooth and detailed. Additionally, the IPS matrix ensures a saturated and correct colour rendition so you can comfortably look at the screen from any angle.

This Micromax tablet features a fast quad-core CPU MediaTek MT8735 with a clock rate of 1 GHz that make application processing a smooth ride under any circumstances. Moreover, the 2 GB will help you deal with daily tasks without any stuttering. This tablet is even capable of running popular visually demanding games without breaking a sweat.

The device also features an Android 5.1 OS that has already managed to conquer many customers’ hearts with its convenient user interface and modest resource usage. Though the tablet has only one speaker on the back, it'll probably be enough since said speaker is rather loud. This ensures a level of volume that is sufficient enough for the user to hear the audio if he ever feels like using the device in a crowded area without a pair of headphones.

The appearance of the gadget is also something else - strict lines of the housing and round angles make the tablet look slick and stylish. The design makes the device convenient to hold as well. One more thing to point out - the frame around the screen is rather wide but, after a few days of use, you won’t even notice it anymore.

The Advantages of Interface and Slots

Speaking of conveniences, we would like to mention that this model still has a standard 3.5 mm mini-jack for headphones and headsets. Additionally, the battery of this model can be charged with a traditional microUSB cable. The power jack also supports an OTG cable that this gadget is supplied with. With its help, you can connect a flash drive to the tablet and search for any stored content. The addition of two SIM card slots will surprise many since you can use different prepaid plans for voice and video calls. One of the slots supports 2G / 3G / 4G while the other one works only with 2G and 3G cards. Unfortunately, you can only use one SIM card at a time. The built-in microphone is sensitive enough so you won't have to scream in it in order for the other person to hear you, even if you happen to be a metre away from the tablet. All in all, this modestly looking device is a great budget-friendly choice, especially if performance is your biggest concern.

Additional Info

Iball Slide Snap 4G2

The Combination of Power and Elegance

The first thing that catches the eye when you look at this tablet is its gorgeous design, the housing made with a golden finish and a metal rim gilt that make this gadget look stylish and soft to the touch. The back panel of the device is made of textured plastic, a solution that makes it harder for the device to slip away. A thin frame around the screen is what allowed the manufacturers to reduce the overall dimensions to 19 x 10.8 centimetres, hence, the tablet will fit even a small bag.

Thanks to a powerful quad-core ARM Cortex A53 processor, this tablet will be able to handle a variety of demanding applications. Many stress tests of this CPU have shown that it barely heats up and does not consume a lot of energy even during critical overloads. Add to that a powerful GPU and 2 GB of RAM and you can easily play the most recent games and run memory-demanding apps. The main camera of this model has a resolution of 5 MP, which allows making rather stunning and contrast-rich photos. Moreover, it can digitally enhance the pictures up to 8 MP so you can watch them on the screen of your PC or TV with enough comfort. The camera itself has an autofocus that will help you take photos on the go. To add even more convenience, the 2 MP front camera is perfect for selfies and Skype calls.

Android 5.1 - an Array of Applications

This model has a reliable Android 5.1 OS onboard that has become one of the most popular versions of Android according to a number of surveys. This particular edition features an upgraded UI that can show off its convenient RAM allocation and advanced resource management. The Google apps have undergone a substantial overhaul in 5.1, and that is why this model will be extremely simple to use for anyone. On top of that, the manufacturer has pre-installed a large number of useful applications that feature a powerful Word text editor, Excel tables, and Powerpoint. If you love to watch online videos, you will definitely like the Hungama app that provides access to thousands of popular movies, including the most recent and premiere films. This model will also catch the eyes of hardcore mobile gamers with a bunch of Gameloft games, like the widely known Asphalt Nitro, Bubble Bash 3, Motocross Extreme, and others. To handle all that, the tablet features a 3500 mAh battery that will allow you to use the device for up to 12 hours from one single charge. To sum up, the tablet from Iball has a variety of useful features that make this model suitable for business and entertainment purposes at a reasonable price.

Additional Info

What Is a Tablet?

Tablets today are almost PCs when you look at the features. Short of playing some games or working in specialised apps with really hardcore system requirements, everything you can do on a PC you can also do on an up-to-date tablet. And tablets are so much more mobile and portable, even compared to a laptop. Internet surfing, working with office documents, social networking, audio- and video-calls, making high-quality photos and videos, etc. — all this and much more in a device the size of a book (and thinner than that). And lately, you even have a selection of operating systems, from traditional Android and iOS to Windows OS we all know from our PCs. No surprise that more and more users prefer tablets with every passing day. Here in this review, we would like to offer you some tips on how to choose the best tablet for you, and the description of 5 best tablet computers in our opinion to narrow down the list of options a bit.

There are also tablets specifically for drawing.

What Features to Compare

Performance

The brain of any computer-like device is its processor. It is responsible for data processing, apps launch speed, video and games playback, etc. How fast the processor works largely depends on the number of cores it has. We recommend you to look at quad-core 1.5GHz processors and more if you wish to have a cutting-edge high-performing device. Then there is also RAM, an extremely important parameter as well. With the world constantly requiring multitasking, the RAM can be considered enough often starts at 2GB. With this, your tablet will be able to process massive loads of data and work several apps at a time. As for the storage, it depends on what you are buying a tablet for. If you would like to store your data inside permanently, it will be better to look for greater storage space and/or the option to either expand the internal storage or use memory cards.

Display

Today you can encounter 7" to 12.2" tablets most often, though there are 5" and 20" ones too. The plus of the 7"–8" tablets is that they are lighter, more compact, and, therefore, more portable. Good enough for Internet surfing, playing, taking a device with you wherever you go. At the same time, it is probably more convenient to work with documents, read for a prolonged time, and use multi-window mode with a tablet of 10" or bigger. And then there is also the panel type. Panels affect viewing angles, clarity of picture, and response time. At the top of the list is the IPS panel type, but TN and TFT are still very popular, too. And, finally, you will need to look at the resolution. For a realistic and highly detailed picture, to start from the Full HD 1920x1080 pixels is a perfect choice.

Interfaces and Extra

There is hardly any user who'd buy a tablet without an option to connect either earphones or speakers, so there is that, the standard 3.5mm input is apparently a must. Also, it would be convenient to have a micro USB port to both charge your tablet and connect it to the PC. If you are going to use the device with an external monitor or TV, you will need an MHL, mini-HDMI, or Mini DisplayPort. Wi-Fi is also fiercely important, the latest version being the 802.11ac. Bluetooth can be a really nice extra. We think you will be also happy to have a tablet that adjusts the brightness according to the lighting around, rotates the displayed image when you rotate the device and recognises when something other than a finger or stylus is closing up (like going to sleep mode or shutting up when you close the cover). There are tablets that can be used as a metal detector if you are interested. A good camera will allow making high-quality photos and video, and if you have a front one it means you can video call your friends and relatives. Built-in speakers let you listen to anything without earphones, and a microphone is necessary for calls.

Other Features

There are three most used operating systems for tablets and they differ quite a bit. So, what do you get?

Android — a vast selection of apps and games, easy to use and quick to get used to.

iOS from Apple — stability, high level of personal data security and protection against viruses.

OS Windows — well-known, full Office support, interface and services we are all accustomed to.

Lastly, if you are clumsy or have kids or pets at home, surely you'd want a device that is not so easy to break. The choice between metal and plastic is a no-brainer in this situation. Plastic is often cheaper, though. And it would be awesome to have a tablet that works for 10 hours on a single charge, right?

That's it, roughly. We hope it helped. Now let's proceed to some really remarkable representatives.

Did you know?

That:

More than a billion people in the world operate a tablet on a semi-daily basis and over 150 million own one of these devices.

Android tablets have had a large spike in popularity over the last few years and were able to finally surpass Apple with a market share of 57 percent.

Average tablet usage adds up to about 15 hours a week which is considerably more than that of a smartphone and a computer.

Some may find this statistic surprising but the most popular tablet activity has nothing to do with work, any form of videos or internet in general. It is actually video games with movies and TV shows trailing behind them in popularity. About 84% of tablet users tend to spend at least a few hours a week playing video games on their favourite device.

Although your average tablet boasts a convenient structure capable of providing a sufficient level of mobility, up to eighty-two percent of tablet owners use their device strictly at home, with 28% of them replacing their computer with a tablet altogether.

Researchers found that people tend to spend more time with their tablets than they do with paper books. Although this statistic may be somewhat ambiguous since a lot of individuals tend to read books on their tablets.

Bit of History

Although the first touchscreen piece of equipment was introduced fairly recently, with the first ever model being produced in 1982 by George Samuel Hurst and released in 1993 by IBM (though the technology didn't really receive any kind of popularity or commercial success for another 10 or so years), it does seem like touchscreen devices have been around for ages, doesn't it?

Part of it certainly has something to do with the fact that while the device became popular in the last decade, the first attempts to produce a touchscreen technology date back to 1970s when a couple of engineers from CERN developed a transparent touchscreen based on their work at a television factory in the early 1960s. Another cause for it could very well be the fact that an idea of a touchscreen technology has been prominent in the science fiction genre being mentioned as early as 1951 in Isaac Asimov's series of science fiction books called The Foundation.

The last but not least possible reason for this kind of phenomenon could possibly be the fact that a touchscreen technology provides a tremendous amount of convenience and utility that simply isn't possible to achieve using a regular device paired with an orthodox screen.

Speaking of convenience and utility, did you know that you could use your tablet as a powerful TV remote? With the right model in your hands, you will be capable of entirely replacing your remote with a tablet. Some of these devices are specifically designed with this kind of application in mind. The popular Samsung Galaxy Tab line, for instance, boasts a built-in IR transmitter that can be used as a universal TV remote. Although just like with the good old-fashioned remote, you will have to aim directly at your television set in order for it to work.

But that isn't even the remotely the most peculiar possible application for your tablet. The honour and privilege of bestowing that title would have to go to those bright folks that figured out that you can use your touchscreen device to tune your guitar. Professional and aspiring musicians usually tend to carry electric guitar tuners with them. But if you're an intermediate player that just wants to quickly tune his favourite musical instrument, or you would like to have a backup guitar in case your band is on tour, all you have to do is download Guitar Tuna, a free Android and iOS app that will do that job for you.

FAQ:

Q: What are the advantages of a tablet compared to a modern smartphone?

A: A tablet features quite a few advantages even if you compare it to some of the most technologically impressive models of smartphones on the market. First of all, tablets generally feature a much larger display, providing you with far more workspace opportunity and convenience regardless of whatever task at hand you're looking to execute. They're a considerably more appropriate tool for work and can also make the viewing experience, be it a blockbuster movie or your favourite television drama, a much more engaging activity. Second, a tablet is a far more versatile device that is much more suitable for video conferencing and can also serve as an e-reader far better than your average smartphone. Last but not least, tablets tend to be noticeably cheaper than their smartphone counterparts.

Q:What are the advantages of a tablet compared to a laptop?

A: Although your average tablet may lose to a laptop when it comes to functionality, the device has an array of features and assets that often make a tablet a significantly more alluring choice than a laptop. One of the more obvious and noticeable advantages of a tablet would be its portability. Tablets tend to be thin and light. Of course, if you happen to own a MacBook Air or an ultrabook, the difference may seem less noticeable than it usually is, but when it comes to most laptops, a tablet is thinner, lighter, and more portable by a long shot. If you plan on carrying the device around with you all day, that few pounds difference can be not just evident but often crucial. Another important difference is that tablets generally feature a battery life that far exceeds the one of your average laptop. There's also the fact that tablets tend to be much more convenient when it comes to certain tasks like reading or watching movies and they also almost always feature a camera, something that your typical laptop normally lacks.

Q:What is the most recent version of Android?

A: The latest version of Android is 8.0 "Oreo", which was released in August 2017. If you want to learn more about whether your knowledge on the subject is up to date, you can visit the Android History section at the official Android website.

Q:How can I tell which version I have?

A: The steps for checking your version may somewhat vary depending on your device but as a rule of a thumb, you should go to your device's settings option, look for an entry that says something along the lines of About Device, About Phone or anything of the sort and find the version of your Android on the list of specifications.

Q:Can I stream live sports on my Android device?

A: Absolutely. One of the many perks of owning an Android device is the ability to stream live sports. By virtue of the latest mobile technologies, sports fans nowadays are capable of having an unprecedented and unrestricted access to games happening simultaneously all over the world. To access live sports streaming on your Android device, you will have to download an app using the Google Play store or locate a website that is capable of connecting you to an online broadcast of the sporting event that you wish to observe.